Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota - CUB

10/11/2026

Xcel customers: Did you see this notice on your MyAccount portal letting you know about the new time-of-use (TOU) rate?

Xcel's TOU rate is an *optional* rate offering that charges different costs per kilowatt hour (kWh) depending on what time of day you're using electricity.

Learn more about how the rate works on CUB’s website: https://cubminnesota.org/all-about-xcels-time-use-rate

10/10/2026

Last month, the Minnesota Public Utility Commission (PUC) formally announced it has opened an investigation to assess the affordability of electric and natural gas utility service in Minnesota.

Learn more about the investigation and how to participate:

On September 23, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) formally announced it has opened an investigation to assess the affordability of electric and natural gas utility service in Minnesota.  CUB appreciates the PUC for taking this proactive action to better understand Minnesotans’ ener...

10/08/2026

Processing Energy Assistance applications has begun. Submit your application ASAP to receive funds once they’re available.

Reminder: Energy Assistance can provide crisis grants for energy emergencies, such as potential disconnection, a needed propane refill, or a failing heating system. More on CUB’s website: https://cubminnesota.org/shutoff-help -assistance

10/01/2026

The PUC today decided not to reverse its earlier decision to increase Xcel’s authorized return on equity. The PUC authorized Xcel to increase its electric company ROE from 9.25% to 9.6%, which is a significant factor in the rate increase ultimately approved.

Return on equity (ROE) is a key determinant of utility company profits and is part of the rate Xcel charges to its customers.

Attorney General Keith Ellison and CUB petitioned the PUC to reconsider this decision, petitions that were supported by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, a large industry group, and others. Today, the PUC denied our petitions.

CUB is disappointed by today's decision, and we will continue to advocate for affordable service and fairness between utility corporations and their ratepayers.

If you or someone you know is struggling to keep up with their utility bills, take a look at CUB’s Shutoff Guide, or contact us at 651-300-4701, ext. 9 or [email protected].

More at the 🔗 in the comments.

09/30/2026

Tomorrow, the Public Utilities Commission will discuss petitions from CUB and the Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison to reconsider increasing Xcel’s return on equity (ROE).

Boosting Xcel’s ROE from 9.25% to 9.6% will cost Minnesotans tens of millions extra every year. As many Xcel customers struggle to keep up with their bills, we don’t think that an increase to Xcel’s profits is warranted.

Here’s the link to watch the PUC’s hearing, beginning at 10am tomorow morning: https://minnesotapuc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?event_id=3734

More about CUB’s petition in the comments.

09/29/2026

Thank you to Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith for urging the federal government to release Energy Assistance funding as quickly as possible. Energy Assistance is a lifeline to more than 100k Minnesota households from every corner of the state.

More than 100,000 Minnesota households relied on federal energy assistance last winter WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and several colleagues are leading a bipartisan push for the federal government to release energy assistance funding as quickly as possib...

09/28/2026

If you use electricity to heat your home in the winter, make sure you’re saving as much money as possible. Take a look at CUB’s guide to electric heat in the winter.

🔸Check for special heating rates.
🔸Make sure you’re not being charged sales tax.
🔸Use your heating system efficiently.

More here:

A guide to saving money in the winter

09/27/2026

Congress has approved Energy Assistance funding for the 2026-2027 heating season, and Minnesota should receive its allocation later this fall. If you qualify, you can apply now for this essential relief. More about Energy Assistance and other financial assistance options on CUB’s website: https://cubminnesota.org/shutoff-help -assistance

09/26/2026

As a ratepayer advocate, CUB is focused on establishing protections so that Minnesotans aren’t left footing the bill for data centers’ enormous power demand. CUB helped pass nation-leading ratepayer protection legislation in 2025.

Now, we’re focused on the hard work of implementing those protections in utility- and project-specific proceedings at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

More about data centers in Minnesota on CUB’s website: https://cubminnesota.org/data-centers-minnesota

09/24/2026

“The Attorney General’s Office reached a settlement on Sept. 9 with Minnesota Valley in the civil lawsuit the office originally brought against the cooperative after it discontinued electrical service to a now 70-year-old man in Yellow Medicine County.”

All Minnesota ratepayers are entitled to a payment arrangement that takes into account their financial situation and any extenuating circumstances. Statutory protections ensure consistent access to life-sustaining medical equipment.

Thank you to the Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison for ensuring Minnesota Valley customers have access to these protections. More below:

The Montevideo-based electric cooperative agreed to better inform customers of options to avoid disconnection and will forgive the remaining bill of a customer with a medical need for power.